This Chapter lays down rules and procedures regarding warehouses. The term "warehouse" means a structure or other approved storage facility, as determined by the Secretary, in which any agricultural product may be stored or handled for the purposes of interstate or foreign commerce while the term "warehouse operator" means a person that is lawfully engaged in the business of storing or handling agricultural products. The Secretary of Agriculture shall have exclusive power, jurisdiction, and authority to regulate operator licensing, covered agricultural products, investigations, inspections, suitability for storage, classification, warehouse operator’s duties, systems for electronic conveyance, examinations and audits, licensing for operation of warehouses, licensing of other persons, examination of books, records, papers and accounts, and cooperation with States to perform activities authorised under this chapter. Specifically the Chapter includes rules and regulations on definitions, powers of Secretary of Agriculture, imposition and collection of fees, quality and value standards, bonding and other financial assurance requirements, maintenance of records, fair treatment in storage of agricultural products, commingling of agricultural products, transfer of stored agricultural products, warehouse receipts, conditions for delivery of agricultural products, suspension or revocation of licenses, public information, penalties for noncompliance, jurisdiction and arbitration, and authorisation of appropriations. This Act may be cited as the 'United States Warehouse Act'.
United States of America · 1916-08-11